CPSC, NHTSA and Cosco Announce Recall of Infant Car Seats/Carriers

CPSC, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Cosco Inc. of Columbus, Ind., is announcing the recall of about 670,000 Arriva and Turnabout infant car seats/carriers.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Company Phone Number: (800) 221-6736

July 8, 1999

NHTSA Contact: Tim Hurd, (202) 366-9550

Release # 99-138

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Cosco Inc. of Columbus, Ind., is announcing the recall of about 670,000 Arriva and Turnabout infant car seats/carriers. When used as an infant carrier, the handle locks on each side of the seat can unexpectedly release, causing the seat to flip forward. When this happens, the infant can fall to the ground and suffer serious injuries.

"This is a serious problem that puts infants at risk," said CPSC Chairman Ann Brown. "The handle locks on these car seat carriers can release without warning. Even if you regularly buckle your child into the seat, parents who have this car seat should call for a free repair kit immediately."

There have been 151 reports of the handle of the car seat/carrier unexpectedly releasing, resulting in 29 injuries to children. These reports include skull fractures, a broken arm, bumps to the head, black eyes, scrapes and bruises. According to the reports, some injuries occurred to children who were restrained in the seat.

"Parents should continue using these rear-facing infant car seats, but should not use the carrying handle until a repair kit has been installed," said NHTSA Administrator Ricardo Martinez, M.D. "Safety is our highest priority. A child safety seat that is installed and used correctly is the most effective safety device available for young children in automobiles."

The recall involves Arriva and Turnabout infant car seat/carrier models manufactured between March 1, 1995 and September 9, 1997. The manufacture date and model number are written on a label located on the side of the seat. The car seat/carriers have the following model numbers:

Arriva

Turnabout

02-66502-72902-73102-73202-73302-75102-75602-757

02-75802-75902-76002-76102-76202-76302-76402-76502-667

Arriva

Turnabout

If the car seat/carrier does not have the model name written on it, the unit can be identified by the model number and manufacturing date. Some car seats/carriers also were sold with strollers.

Juvenile product, mass merchandise and major discount stores nationwide sold the car seats/carriers beginning in March 1995 for about $29 to $59 when sold alone, or $89 to $139 when sold with strollers.

Cosco will provide a free repair kit that will make the handle stronger. The repair can easily be done in the home. Until a repair kit has been installed, CPSC, NHTSA and Cosco advise consumers not to carry the seat by the handle. Consumers may continue to use the product as a car seat or in combination with strollers. The CPSC, NHTSA and Cosco remind all parents and care-givers to properly restrain their infants in the car seat/carrier at all times.

To receive a free repair kit or for more information, call Cosco at (800) 221-6736 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday, or visit Cosco's web site. Consumers with questions about this recall campaign can call NHTSA's toll-free Auto Safety Hotline at (888) DASH-2-DOT (888) 327-4236) or (202) 366-0123 in the Washington, D.C., area [Ask for 99E-022]. Consumers also can call the CPSC Hotline at (800) 638-2772 for more information.

This recall is the result of a cooperative investigation conducted by CPSC and NHTSA.

Recall Facts

What:

Cosco Arriva and Turnabout infant car seats/carriers.

Why:

When used as an infant carrier, the handle locks on each side of the seat can unexpectedly release, causing the seat to flip forward. The infant can fall to the ground and suffer serious injuries.

Remedy:

Cosco will provide, free of charge, an easy-to-install repair kit.

How many:

About 670,000 manufactured between March 1, 1995 and September 9, 1997. Seats manufactured September 10,1997 and after have newly designed handle locks.

What to do:

Check the label on the side of the product for the manufacturing date and one of the model numbers listed above. Contact Cosco toll-free at (800) 221-6736 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. EDT M-F, or visit Cosco's web site for a free repair kit or more information. Until you install the repair kit do not to carry the seat by its handle, but by the head and foot of the seat. The seat can and should still be used as a car seat.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of
thousands of types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the
nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or
mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to help ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household
chemicals -– contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 40 years.

Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly-announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the
Commission.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or teletypewriter at
(301) 595-7054 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain news release and recall information at www.cpsc.gov, on Twitter @USCPSC or by subscribing
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